Finland Boxing Tournament: Shiva Thapa sweeps aside Mikhail Varlamov
What's the story
India's boxing sensation Shiva Thapa was on top gear after clinching a 5-0 win against Mikhail Varlamov. Thapa and five other Indian pugilists sailed into the final of the 38th GeeBee Boxing Tournament in Helsinki, Finland. This is a massive moment for the Indian boxing contingent, who are all assured of medals. Here's more.
Information
Thapa to face Arslan Khataev in the final
Thapa (60kg) has been in fine form in the tourney. In the quarters, he defeated Poland's Dominik Palak 5-0. That was after he got an opening-round bye. And now he trumped Varlamov in similar fashion. Thapa will face local favorite Arslan Khataev in the final.
Hussamuddin
56kg category: Hussamuddin to face Kavinder in all-Indian finale
Two Indians signed off with bronze medals. Former youth world champion Sachin Siwach (52kg) and Sumit Sangwan (91kg) bowed out after losing in the semis. Meanwhile, in the 56kg category, Mohammed Hussamuddin will face Kavinder Singh Bisht in an all-Indian finale. CWG bronze medallist Hussamuddin sealed a narrow 3-2 win over Kazakhstan's Zhanbolat Kydyrbayev. Bisht got the better of Frenchman Jordan Rodriquez.
Battle
Dinesh Dagar to take on CWG medallist Pat McCormack
Also to progress to the final were the likes of Dinesh Dagar (69kg), Naveen Kumar (+91kg), and rookie Govind Sahani (49kg). Dagar got a split 4-1 verdict over Russia's Sergei Sobylinski. He will take on CWG medallist Pat McCormack of England in the final. McCormack enters the finale as the favorite. He is also a two-time European silver-medallist.
Results
Other important results for Indian boxers
Naveen won 4-1 against Australia's Justis Huni and will take on England's Frazer Clarke for the gold medal. Meanwhile, Sahani enjoyed a stunning 5-0 triumph over Russia's Artysh Sojan. He will face Thailand's Thitisan Panmod in the summit clash. Earlier, Sangwan suffered a 0-5 defeat to England's Chevon Clarke. Sachin faced a 1-4 defeat in the hands of Kyrgyzstan's Azat Usenaliev.